THE New Year Honours List includes four people from Taunton Deane and West Somerset.

They were recognised for their contribution to the environment, services to the NHS, work in nature conservation and a top sporting achievement.

Jane Barrie OBE was appointed chairman of Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority back in April, 2002.

Prior to that she was chairman of Somerset Health Authority and is a chairman of the Somerset Local Learning and Skills Council. She is also chairman of the governors at Taunton School.

England rugby forwards coach Andy Robinson, who grew up and was educated in Taunton, has been awarded the OBE for his part in the team's Rugby World Cup win in Australia.

Taunton environment expert Nigel Reader had been awarded with a CBE. Mr Reader, who works at the Environment Agency's HQ in Bristol, has been a leader in his field for 28 years. He has worked in private industry, for Wessex Water and the National Rivers Authority.

Mr Reader has also worked tirelessly to raise funds for Water Aid.

More than a decade of voluntary conservation work on Exmoor has been rewarded with an MBE for retired Royal Navy captain William Canning. Now in his 70s, served in the Royal Navy for 34 years.